Call for Papers

2013 Call

MEDIA STUDIES INTEREST GROUP 

Call for Submissions


2013 Central States Communication Association Conference 


Kansas City Marriott Downtown

Kansas City, Missouri

Communicating the Possible

April 2 – April 7, 2013 

The Media Studies Interest Group (MSIG) invites submissions of competitive papers and thematic panels on all aspects of media studies, including mass communication, media technology, media and culture, and other studies of media and mass communication for the 2013 CSCA Convention. In addition, we are soliciting original video submissions for screening at the convention as well as original and innovative ideas for special sessions. 

This year's theme is "Communicating the possible.” This theme invites members to explore transformative communication and “the capacity for emotion, creativity, compassion, hope, forgiveness, resilience, and transcendence in regards to communication” (Theme Description). Given the diversity of MSIG, you are invited to explore this idea, in all of its permutations, for CSCA 2013.  Original research, multi-media work, discussions, and debates are all encouraged.  Work is invited for submission under the following three categories:

Papers: The Media Studies Interest Group is seeking cutting-edge research regarding all aspects of media studies, including: mass communication, media technology, media and culture, popular culture, media theory, or other studies of media and mass communication for the 2013 conference. All paradigms and methodologies are welcome. Papers can follow the current editions of APA, MLA, or Chicago styles.  All submitted papers must be the original work of the author(s). Please send your submission to cscamsig@gmail.com as two Microsoft Word files, with the first file containing a title page with author name(s) and contact information and the second file containing the text of the paper. If the paper is solely student-authored, please type the word “STUDENT” on the title page. All author-identifiers should be removed from the second file (excluding previous scholarly works cited in the paper and listed in the references section). The e-mail subject line should include the abbreviation CSCA and the title of the paper.  For the sake of timely and thorough review, papers must be no longer than 25 pages of actual text written within accepted publishing guidelines (not including appendices, references/bibliographies, etc.).  Papers not meeting these submission guidelines may not be distributed for review. 

Panels: The Media Studies Interest Group welcomes submissions of academic panel proposals, roundtable discussions, and other programming proposals exploring media studies. This year, the interest group specifically seeks panels or discussion sessions dealing with the conference theme of “Communicating the Possible:”  How can various forms of media be used for social change? How are we using media and media literacy to empower our students? What is the potential and promise of social media? What is the role of peace journalism in the coverage of conflicts? These or any other themes that articulate what is possible are welcome (in addition to other areas of discussion). Please send all submissions to CSCAMSIG@Gmail.com as a Microsoft Word file, with the abbreviation CSCA in the subject line. Proposals need a title, brief abstract for the panel, for research-based panels - an abstract (no more than 75 words) for each project, a designated person in charge of the program, and names/contact information for each session participant (including whether or not the participants are CSCA members).  Panel proposals must also include the 2013 CSCA Panel Proposal Request Form (available @ www.csca-net.org ). 

Original Media Submissions: The Media Studies Interest Group welcomes submissions of original media. Documentaries of all lengths, fictional narratives or non-narratives, public service announcements, or other creative works of media are appropriate for submission, especially those that include the theme of “Communicating the Possible.” The submission must include a pedagogical or theoretical rationale for the work (a rationale could be an accompanying full-length paper written for the project or a 2-4 page rationale written for the submission). We especially encourage student projects and/or student/faculty collaborations. Those interested in submitting should contact planner Michelle Calka at CSCAMSIG@Gmail.com with a brief description of the media by September 15, 2012 to begin the submission process.  

Awards: The Media Studies Interest Group presents three awards annually. The Samuel L. Becker Award is given for the top graduate student paper. The Becker Award includes an individual certificate and a cash award. At the annual business meeting, the Media Studies Interest Group also presents awards for top faculty paper and top original media submission. 

IMPORTANT: Due to budget and access, the only technology that can be made available for your projects will be a multimedia projector and speakers that you can connect your laptop computers (or other equipment) to. There should be cables available for this, but there may not be Internet access readily available. Any technology requests must be made at the time of submission. 

Submissions for all categories must be complete by October 5, 2012. Please note the earlier deadline for beginning the submission process of original media. 

Questions? Contact the Media Studies Interest Group Planner:

Michelle Calka (Manchester College) @ CSCAMSIG@Gmail.com.